9.27.2007

What's a few $4-6,000 for the love seat of your dreams? This Windsor Smith and HomeChloe sofa is the very signature of me (minus the price tag). Looks like I'll have to take that upholstery class I've been thinking about and recreate my own version (with all that spare time that i have ;)).

9.21.2007

My good friend, and designer/illustrator extraordinaire, Cambria Christensen's work for Martha Stewart's Halloween craft line is out and can be purchased at your localMichaels Arts and Crafts. I love it! I'll have to get these invites as they are especially spooktacular.

My second mail treat came with a custom made esty blanket for Atticus from little darlyn girl (the personal shop of my fabulous older sister who is an amazing seamstress). You can see here that the blanket goes perfectly in Atti's room and that he loves it. Thanks D-lyn! You can see more of her original creations on her shop here. I personally love the peek-a-boo block with loop lovey. You get both together for a killer deal!

I've had such a fabulous mail week this week! A big thank you to Julie Morris for the beautiful hand made items she sent me. She made this adorable sock monster for Attics, this super cool vinyl skull pouch and hand embroidered this beautiful peasant blouse. I couldn't be more thrilled. Atticus clearly LOVES the monster. He ran off with him immediately. I'll have to get started on her fairy painting straight away. Thank you Julie, you are so talented!

9.02.2007

I'm loving the fanciful work of the lovely French artist Miss Clara. She's inspired me to work on a more 3 dimensional scale again. One of the many wonders of Paris was seeing all the dolls and puppet like creations in the shop windows. It's so theatrical and magical. I really don't think we appreciate this art enough here in the states.

I had been feeling stumped on what my kitchen design style was for awhile now so I decided to save anything that spoke to me. Well, after going through my inspiration file recently, I found one very obvious theme: They are all WHITE.

I have loved the all white and weathered look for as long as I can remember (it was often the backdrop of many a day dream as a little girl). I like this because it must mean it is timeless. I also like the idea of adding some very current and up-to-date elements to that back drop, thus mixing both my nostalgic self with my more of-the-moment, modern self.

Some elements from these pics that I'm craving for my dream kitchen are:

A large rectangular weathered farm table with either mix and match chairs or modern "Eamsish" style chairs. Just thinking of it make me all giddy inside

A collection of white china/stoneware (mix of modern and vintage). I've started this already and I love what it looks like. I've also allowed for some white pieces with black embellishments (making my new mer.mer. mug a perfect fit! :))

Large vintage letters somewhere. I haven't decided what I want them to say yet, or if I want them to say anything at all even. I know that I want at least one letter (preferably "A", because it has such a beautiful structure -and could work for Atticus :)).

Some sort of chalkboard surface somewhere. I love this idea for many reasons. It's great for menu items, to do lists, and a perfect kid's play surface while I'm preparing dinner. (Wow, that sounds like such a domestic utopia I painted there. I guess I'll have to start making regular dinners for this to ever come true. I'm sure once I get my perfect kitchen I'll magically become the perfect cook, wife and mother ;) ).

Just a touch of color that could change with seasons. I of course love azure blue and black will be in there in small touches (adding a bit of the glam I love so much). Other times I'd love to add bright pink, red or mustard yellow. I'd do this with seat cushions, place mats, napkins, artwork, etc.

Ahh, a girl can dream right? Currently I'm still working on what to do with my natural oak cabinets that my husband has discouraged me from painting white :). (For the very credible reason that we are leaving our house in one year. Time restraints? What are those? You're asking an artist to be practical? :)).